PHOENIX — In an impressive display, Tyrese Martin set a personal best by scoring 30 points while Dennis Schroder contributed 29, leading the injury-riddled Brooklyn Nets to a 127-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
With this victory, the Nets have managed to win four out of their last five matches, while the Suns have struggled, suffering seven defeats in their last nine encounters.
Martin showcased a remarkable performance, shooting 10 of 13 from the floor and sinking 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, marking a significant leap in his NBA career, having scored only 33 total points across 21 prior games before this outing.
Adding to Brooklyn’s efforts, Ben Simmons contributed with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with a strong performance of 31 points. Kevin Durant also had an impressive showing against his former franchise, scoring 30 points but struggling with seven turnovers.
The Nets surged ahead with a dominating 17-3 run, securing an 80-66 lead midway through the third quarter, and they kept a 12-point advantage entering the final period with a score of 96-84.
At halftime, the game was tied at 63. Martin shone brightly before the break, scoring 17 points and nailing 5 of 6 attempts from long range.
Brooklyn faced the challenge of playing without several key players, including leading scorer Cam Thomas (hamstring injury) and forwards Nic Claxton (back issues) and Noah Clowney (ankle sprain).
Takeaways from the game indicate that the Nets handled the absence of Thomas, who averages nearly 25 points per game, quite well. Martin’s exceptional performance proved invaluable, and Trendon Watford added to the offensive output with 18 points off the bench. Simmons also delivered a commendable all-around performance.
Conversely, it was a disappointing night for the Suns, marred by poor execution highlighted by 17 turnovers that led to 24 points for their opponents.
A pivotal moment came when Martin was fouled by Durant while attempting a three-pointer with only 0.1 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Martin capitalized by sinking two of his three free throw attempts, extending the Nets’ lead to 12 as they headed into the final quarter.
Notably, before this game, Martin’s previous scoring high was only six points. The 2023 second-round draft pick by the Warriors spent last season developing his skills in the G League.
Looking ahead, the Nets will host the Orlando Magic on Friday night, while the Suns will welcome the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.